SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
1.
NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Certican 0.1 mg dispersible tablets
Certican 0.25 mg dispersible tablets
2.
QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each dispersible tablet contains 0.1/0.25 mg everolimus.
Excipient(s) with known effect:
Each dispersible tablet contains 1/2 mg lactose monohydrate and 72/179 mg anhydrous
lactose.
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3.
PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Dispersible tablet
Dispersible tablets are white to yellowish, marbled, round, flat with a bevelled edge.
0.1 mg (diameter of 7 mm): engraved with “I” on one side and “NVR” on the other.
0.25 mg (diameter of 9 mm): engraved with “JO” on one side and “NVR” on the other.
4.
CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1
Therapeutic indications
Kidney and heart transplantation
Certican is indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients at low to moderate
immunological risk receiving an allogeneic renal or cardiac transplant. In kidney and heart
transplantation, Certican should be used in combination with ciclosporin for microemulsion and
corticosteroids.
Liver transplantation
Certican is indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients receiving a hepatic
transplant. In liver transplantation, Certican should be used in combination with tacrolimus and
corticosteroids.
4.2
Posology and method of administration
Treatment with Certican should only be initiated and maintained by physicians who are experienced in
immunosuppressive therapy following organ transplantation and who have access to everolimus whole
blood concentration monitoring.
Posology
Adults
An initial dose regimen of 0.75 mg twice daily in co-administration with ciclosporin is recommended
for the general kidney and heart transplant population, administered as soon as possible after
transplantation.
The dose of 1.0 mg twice daily in co-administration with tacrolimus is recommended for the hepatic
transplant population with the initial dose approximately 4 weeks after transplantation.
1
Patients receiving Certican may require dose adjustments based on blood concentrations achieved,
tolerability, individual response, change in co-medications and the clinical situation. Dose adjustments
can be made at 4-5 day intervals (see Therapeutic drug monitoring).
Special population
Black patients
The incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection episodes was significantly higher in black renal
transplant patients compared with non-black patients. There is limited information indicating that
black patients may require a higher Certican dose to achieve similar efficacy to non-black patients (see
section 5.2). Currently, the efficacy and safety data are too limited to allow specific recommendations
for use of everolimus in black patients.
Paediatric population
There is insufficient data in children and adolescents to recommend the use of Certican in renal
transplantation (see section 5.1 and 5.2) and no recommendation on a posology can be made. In
hepatic transplant paediatric patients, Certican should not be used (see section 5.1).
Elderly patients (≥ 65 years)
Clinical experience in patients >65 years of age is limited. Although data are limited, there are no
apparent differences in the pharmacokinetics of everolimus in patients ≥ 65-70 years of age (see
section 5.2).
Patients with renal impairment
No dosage adjustment is required (see section 5.2).
Patients with impaired hepatic function
Everolimus whole blood trough concentrations should be closely monitored in patients with impaired
hepatic function. The dose should be reduced to approximately two thirds of the normal dose for
patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A), to approximately one half of the normal
dose for patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child Pugh Class B), and to approximately one
third of the normal dose for patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh Class C). Further
dose titration should be based on therapeutic drug monitoring (see section 5.2). Reduced doses
rounded to the nearest tablet strength are tabulated below:
Table 1
Certican dose reduction in patients with hepatic impairment
Renal and cardiac
transplantation
Hepatic
transplantation
Normal hepatic
function
Mild hepatic
impairment
(Child-Pugh A)
Moderate
hepatic
impairment
(Child-Pugh B)
Severe hepatic
impairment
(Child-Pugh C)
0.75 mg b.i.d.
0.5 mg b.i.d.
0.5 mg b.i.d.
0.25 mg b.i.d.
1 mg b.i.d.
0.75 mg b.i.d.
0.5 mg b.i.d.
0.5 mg b.i.d.
2
Therapeutic drug monitoring
The use of drug assays with adequate performance characteristics when targeting low concentrations
of ciclosporin or tacrolimus is recommended.
Routine everolimus whole blood therapeutic drug concentration monitoring is recommended. Based
on exposure-efficacy and exposure-safety analysis, patients achieving everolimus whole blood trough
concentrations 3.0 ng/ml have been found to have a lower incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection
in renal, cardiac and hepatic transplantation compared with patients whose trough concentrations are
below 3.0 ng/ml. The recommended upper limit of the therapeutic range is 8 ng/ml. Exposure above
12 ng/ml has not been studied. These recommended ranges for everolimus are based on
chromatographic methods.
It is especially important to monitor everolimus blood concentrations in patients with hepatic
impairment during concomitant administration of strong CYP3A4 inducers and inhibitors, when
switching formulation, and/or if ciclosporin dosing is markedly reduced (see section 4.5). Everolimus
concentrations might be slightly lower following dispersible tablet administration.
Ideally, dose adjustments of Certican should be based on trough concentrations obtained >4-5 days
after the previous dosing change. There is an interaction between ciclosporin and everolimus, and
everolimus concentrations may therefore decrease if ciclosporin exposure is markedly reduced (i.e.
trough concentration <50 ng/ml).
Patients with hepatic impairment should preferably have trough concentrations in the upper part of the
3-8 ng/ml exposure range.
After starting treatment or after a dose adjustment, monitoring should be performed every 4 to 5 days
until 2 consecutive trough concentrations show stable everolimus concentrations, as the prolonged
half-lives in hepatically impaired patients delay the time to reach steady state (see sections 4.4 and
5.2). Dose adjustments should be based on stable everolimus trough concentrations.
Ciclosporin dose recommendation in renal transplantation
Certican should not be used long-term together with full doses of ciclosporin. Reduced exposure to
ciclosporin in Certican-treated renal transplant patients improves renal function. Based on experience
gained from study A2309, ciclosporin exposure reduction should be started immediately after
transplantation with the following recommended whole blood trough concentration windows:
Table 2
Renal transplantation: recommended target ciclosporin blood troughconcentration windows
Target ciclosporin C0 (ng/ml)
Certican groups
Month 1
100-200
Months 2-3
75-150
Months 4-5
50-100
Months 6-12
25-50
(Measured C0 and C2 concentrations are shown in section 5.1).
Prior to dose reduction of ciclosporin it should be ascertained that steady-state everolimus whole blood
trough concentrations are equal to or above 3 ng/ml.
There are limited data regarding dosing Certican with ciclosporin trough concentrations below
50 ng/ml, or C2 concentrations below 350 ng/ml, in the maintenance phase. If the patient cannot
tolerate reduction of ciclosporin exposure, the continued use of Certican should be reconsidered.
Ciclosporin dose recommendation in cardiac transplantation
Cardiac transplant patients in the maintenance phase should have their ciclosporin dose reduced as
tolerated in order to improve kidney function. If impairment of renal function is progressive or if the
calculated creatinine clearance is < 60 ml/min, the treatment regimen should be adjusted. In cardiac
3
transplant patients, the ciclosporin dose may be based on ciclosporin blood trough concentrations. See
Section 5.1 for experience with reduced ciclosporin blood concentrations.
In cardiac transplantation, there are limited data regarding dosing Certican with ciclosporin trough
concentrations of 50-100 ng/ml after 12 months.
Prior to dose reduction of ciclosporin it should be ascertained that steady-state everolimus whole blood
trough concentrations are equal to or above 3 ng/ml.
Tacrolimus dose recommendation in hepatic transplantation
Hepatic transplant patients should have their tacrolimus exposure reduced to minimise calcineurinrelated renal toxicity. The tacrolimus dose should be reduced starting approximately 3 weeks after
initiating co-administration with Certican, based on targeted tacrolimus blood trough concentrations
(C0) of 3-5 ng/ml. In a controlled clinical trial, complete withdrawal of tacrolimus has been associated
with an increased risk of acute rejections.
Certican has not been evaluated with full-dose tacrolimus in controlled clinical trials.
Method of administration
Certican is for oral use only.
The daily dose of Certican should always be given orally in two divided doses, consistently either with
or without food (see section 5.2) and at the same time as ciclosporin for microemulsion or tacrolimus
(see Therapeutic drug monitoring).
For further instructions see section 6.6.
4.3
Contraindications
Certican is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to everolimus, sirolimus, or to
any of the excipients.
4.4
Special warnings and precautions for use
Management of immunosuppression
In clinical trials, Certican has been administered concurrently with ciclosporin for microemulsion,
basiliximab, or with tacrolimus, and corticosteroids. Certican in combination with immunosuppressive
agents other than these has not been adequately investigated.
Certican has not been adequately studied in patients at high immunological risk.
Combination with thymoglobulin induction
Strict caution is advised with the use of thymoglobulin (rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin) induction and
the Certican/ciclosporin/steroid regimen. In a clinical study in heart transplant recipients (Study
A2310, see section 5.1), an increased incidence of serious infections including fatal infections was
observed within the first three months after transplantation in the subgroup of patients who had
received induction with rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin.
Serious and opportunistic infections
Patients treated with immunosuppressants, including Certican, are at increased risk for opportunistic
infections (bacterial, fungal, viral and protozoal). Among these conditions are BK virus-associated
nephropathy and JC virus-associated progressive multiple leukoencephalopathy (PML). These
infections are often related to a high total immunosuppressive burden and may lead to serious or fatal
conditions that physicians should consider in the differential diagnosis in immunosuppressed patients
with deteriorating renal function or neurological symptoms. Fatal infections and sepsis have been
reported in patients treated with Certican (see section 4.8).
4
In clinical trials with Certican, antimicrobial prophylaxis for Pneumocystis jiroveci (carinii)
pneumonia and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) was recommended following transplantation, particularly for
patients at increased risk for opportunistic infections.
Liver function impairment
Close monitoring of everolimus whole blood trough concentrations (C0) and everolimus dose
adjustment is recommended in patients with impaired hepatic function (see section 4.2).
Because of longer everolimus half-lives in patients with hepatic impairment (see section 5.2),
everolimus therapeutic monitoring after starting treatment or after a dose adjustment should be
performed until stable concentrations are reached.
Interaction with oral CYP3A4 substrates
Caution should be exercised when Certican is taken in combination with orally administered CYP3A4
substrates with a narrow therapeutic index due to the potential for drug interactions. If Certican is
taken with orally administered CYP3A4 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g. pimozide,
terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, quinidine or ergot alkaloid derivatives), the patient should be
monitored for undesirable effects described in the product information of the orally administered
CYP3A4 substrate (see section 4.5).
Interaction with strong inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4
Co-administration with strong CYP3A4-inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole,
clarithromycin, telithromycin, ritonavir) and inducers (e.g. rifampicin, rifabutin, carbamazepine,
phenytoin) is not recommended unless the benefit outweighs the risk. It is recommended that
everolimus whole blood trough concentrations be monitored whenever inducers or inhibitors of
CYP3A4 are concurrently administered and after their discontinuation (see section 4.5).
Lymphomas and other malignancies
Patients receiving a regimen of immunosuppressive medicinal products, including Certican, are at
increased risk of developing lymphomas or other malignancies, particularly of the skin (see section
4.8). The absolute risk seems related to the duration and intensity of immunosuppression rather than to
the use of a specific medicinal product. Patients should be monitored regularly for skin neoplasms and
advised to minimise exposure to UV light and sunlight, and to use appropriate sunscreen.
Hyperlipidaemia
The use of Certican with ciclosporin for microemulsion or tacrolimus in transplant patients has been
associated with increased serum cholesterol and triglycerides that may require treatment. Patients
receiving Certican should be monitored for hyperlipidaemia and, if necessary, treated with lipidlowering medicinal products and have appropriate dietary adjustments made (see section 4.5). The
risk/benefit should be considered in patients with established hyperlipidaemia before initiating an
immunosuppressive regimen including Certican. Similarly, the risk/benefit of continued Certican
therapy should be re-evaluated in patients with severe refractory hyperlipidaemia. Patients
administered a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor and/or fibrate should be monitored for the possible
development of rhabdomyolysis and other adverse effects as described in the Summary of Product
Characteristics for the medicinal product(s) concerned (see section 4.5).
Angioedema
Certican has been associated with the development of angioedema. In the majority of cases reported,
patients were receiving ACE inhibitors as co-medication.
Everolimus and calcineurin inhibitor-induced renal dysfunction
In renal and cardiac transplantation, Certican with full-dose ciclosporin increases the risk of renal
dysfunction. Reduced doses of ciclosporin are required for use in combination with Certican in order
to avoid renal dysfunction. Appropriate adjustment of the immunosuppressive regimen, in particular
5
reduction of the ciclosporin dose, should be considered in patients with elevated serum creatinine
levels.
In a liver transplant study, Certican with reduced tacrolimus exposure has not been found to worsen
renal function in comparison to standard exposure tacrolimus without Certican. Regular monitoring of
renal function is recommended in all patients. Caution should be exercised when co-administering
other medicinal products that are known to have a negative effect on renal function.
Proteinuria
The use of Certican with calcineurin inhibitors in transplant recipients has been associated with
increased proteinuria. The risk increases with higher everolimus blood concentrations. In renal
transplant patients with mild proteinuria while on maintenance immunosuppressive therapy including
a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI), there have been reports of worsening proteinuria when the CNI is
replaced by Certican. Reversibility has been observed with interruption of Certican and reintroduction
of the CNI. The safety and efficacy of switching from a CNI to Certican in such patients have not been
established. Patients receiving Certican should be monitored for proteinuria.
Renal graft thrombosis
An increased risk of kidney arterial and venous thrombosis, resulting in graft loss, has been reported,
mostly within the first 30 days post-transplantation.
Wound-healing complications
Certican, like other mTOR inhibitors, can impair healing, increasing the occurrence of post-transplant
complications such as wound dehiscence, fluid accumulation and wound infection, which may require
further surgical attention. Lymphocele is the most frequently reported such event in renal transplant
recipients and tends to be more frequent in patients with a higher body mass index. The frequency of
pericardial and pleural effusion is increased in cardiac transplant recipients and the frequency of
incisional hernias is increased in liver transplant recipients.
Thrombotic microangiopathy/Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
The concomitant administration of Certican with a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) may increase the risk of
CNI-induced haemolytic uraemic syndrome/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/thrombotic
microangiopathy.
Vaccinations
Immunosuppressants may affect the response to vaccination. During treatment with
immunosuppressants, including everolimus, vaccination may be less effective. The use of live
vaccines should be avoided.
Interstitial lung disease/non-infectious pneumonitis
A diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) should be considered in patients presenting with
symptoms consistent with infectious pneumonia but not responding to antibiotic therapy and in whom
infectious, neoplastic and other non-drug causes have been ruled out through appropriate
investigations. Cases of ILD have been reported with Certican, which generally resolve on drug
interruption with or without glucocorticoid therapy. However, fatal cases have also occurred (see
section 4.8).
New onset diabetes mellitus
Certican has been shown to increase the risk of new onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation.
Blood glucose concentrations should be monitored closely in patients treated with Certican.
Male infertility
There are literature reports of reversible azoospermia and oligospermia in patients treated with mTOR
inhibitors. As preclinical toxicology studies have shown that everolimus can reduce spermatogenesis,
male infertility must be considered a potential risk of prolonged Certican therapy.
6
Risk of intolerance of excipients
Certican dispersible tablets contain lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose
intolerance, severe lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this
medicine.
4.5
Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Everolimus is mainly metabolised by CYP3A4 in the liver and to some extent in the intestinal wall
and is a substrate for the multidrug efflux pump, P-glycoprotein (PgP). Therefore, absorption and
subsequent elimination of systemically absorbed everolimus may be influenced by medicinal products
that affect CYP3A4 and/or P-glycoprotein. Concurrent treatment with strong 3A4 inhibitors and
inducers is not recommended. Inhibitors of P-glycoprotein may decrease the efflux of everolimus from
intestinal cells and increase everolimus blood concentrations. In vitro, everolimus was a competitive
inhibitor of CYP3A4 and a mixed inhibitor of CYP2D6. All in vivo interaction studies were conducted
without concomitant ciclosporin.
Table 3
Effects of other active substances on everolimus
Active substance by
interaction
Interaction – Change in
Everolimus AUC/Cmax
Geometric mean ratio
(observed range)
Strong CYP3A4/PgP inhibitors
AUC ↑15.3-fold
Ketoconazole
(range 11.2-22.5)
Cmax ↑4.1-fold
(range 2.6-7.0)
Not studied. Large increase in
Itraconazole,
everolimus concentration is
posaconazole,
expected.
voriconazole
Telithromycin,
clarithromycin
Nefazodone
Ritonavir, atazanavir,
saquinavir, darunavir,
indinavir, nelfinavir
Moderate CYP3A4/PgP inhibitors
AUC ↑4.4-fold
Erythromycin
(range 2.0-12.6)
Cmax ↑2.0-fold
(range 0.9-3.5)
AUC ↑3.7-fold
Imatinib
Cmax ↑2.2-fold
Verapamil
Ciclosporin oral
Recommendations concerning coadministration
Co-administration with strong
CYP3A4/PgP-inhibitors is not
recommended unless the benefit
outweighs the risk.
Everolimus whole blood trough
concentrations should be monitored
whenever inhibitors of CYP3A4/PgP
are concurrently administered and
after their discontinuation.
Use caution when coadministration of moderate
AUC ↑3.5-fold
(range 2.2-6.3)
Cmax ↑2.3-fold
(range1.3-3.8)
AUC ↑2.7-fold
(range 1.5-4.7)
Cmax ↑1.8-fold
(range 1.3-2.6)
CYP3A4 inhibitors or PgP inhibitors
cannot be avoided.
7
Fluconazole
Diltiazem
nicardipine
Dronedarone
Not studied. Increased exposure
expected.
Not studied. Increased exposure
expected.
Amprenavir,
fosamprenavir
Not studied. Increased exposure
expected.
Grapefruit juice or other
food affecting
CYP3A4/PgP
Not studied. Increased exposure
expected (the effect varies
widely).
Combination should be avoided.
Strong and moderate CYP3A4 inducers
Rifampicin
Rifabutin
AUC ↓63%
(range 0-80%)
Cmax ↓58%
(range 10-70%)
Not studied. Decreased exposure
expected.
Carbamazepine
Not studied. Decreased exposure
expected.
Phenytoin
Not studied. Decreased exposure
expected.
Phenobarbital
Not studied. Decreased exposure
expected.
Efavirenz, nevirapine
Not studied. Decreased exposure
expected.
St John’s Wort
(Hypericum perforatum)
Not studied. Large decrease in
exposure expected.
Co-administration with strong
CYP3A4-inducers is not
recommended unless the benefit
outweighs the risk.
Everolimus whole blood trough
concentrations should be
monitored whenever inducers of
CYP3A4 are concurrently
administered and after their
discontinuation.
Preparations containing St John’s
Wort should not be used during
treatment with everolimus
Agents whose plasma concentrations may be altered by everolimus:
Octreotide
Co-administration of everolimus (10 mg daily) with depot octreotide increased octreotide Cmin with a
geometric mean ratio (everolimus/placebo) of 1.47-fold.
Ciclosporin
Certican had a minor clinical influence on ciclosporin pharmacokinetics in renal and heart transplant
patients receiving ciclosporin for microemulsion.
Atorvastatin (CYP3A4 substrate) and pravastatin (PgP substrate)
Single-dose administration of Certican with either atorvastatin or pravastatin to healthy subjects did
not influence the pharmacokinetics of atorvastatin, pravastatin and everolimus, as well as total HMGCoA reductase bioreactivity in plasma to a clinically relevant extent. However, these results cannot be
extrapolated to other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Patients should be monitored for the
8
development of rhabdomyolysis and other adverse events as described in the Summary of Product
Characteristics of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
Oral CYP3A4A substrates
Based on in vitro results, the systemic concentrations obtained after oral daily doses of 10 mg make
inhibition of PgP, CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 unlikely. However, inhibition of CYP3A4 and PgP in the
gut cannot be excluded. An interaction study in healthy subjects demonstrated that co-administration
of an oral dose of midazolam, a sensitive CYP3A4 substrate probe, with everolimus resulted in a 25%
increase in midazolam Cmax and a 30% increase in midazolam AUC. The effect is likely to be due to
inhibition of intestinal CYP3A4 by everolimus. Hence, everolimus may affect the bioavailability of
orally co-administered CYP3A4 substrates. However, a clinically relevant effect on the exposure of
systemically administered CYP3A4 substrates is not expected. If everolimus is taken with orally
administered CYP3A4 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g. pimozide, terfenadine,
astemizole, cisapride, quinidine or ergot alkaloid derivatives), the patient should be monitored for
undesirable effects described in the product information of the orally administered CYP3A4 substrate.
Vaccinations
Immunosuppressants may affect the response to vaccination and vaccination during treatment with
Certican may be less effective. The use of live vaccines should be avoided.
Paediatric population
Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.
4.6
Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
There are no adequate data from the use of Certican in pregnant women. Studies in animals have
shown reproductive toxicity effects including embryo/foetotoxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk
for humans is unknown. Certican should not be given to pregnant women unless the potential benefit
outweighs the potential risk for the foetus. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to use
effective contraception methods while they are receiving Certican and up to 8 weeks after treatment
has been stopped.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether everolimus is excreted in human milk. In animal studies, everolimus and/or its
metabolites were readily transferred into the milk of lactating rats. Therefore, women who are taking
Certican should not breast feed.
Fertility
There are literature reports of reversible azoospermia and oligospermia in patients treated with mTOR
inhibitors (see section 4.4, 4.8, and 5.3).
4.7
Effects on ability to drive and use machines
No studies of the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed.
4.8
Undesirable effects
a) Summary of the safety profile
The frequencies of adverse reactions listed below are derived from analysis of the 12-month
incidences of events reported in multicentre, randomised, controlled trials investigating Certican in
combination with calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) and corticosteroids in adult transplant recipients. All but
two of the trials (in renal transplantation) included non-Certican, CNI-based standard-therapy arms.
Certican combined with ciclosporin was studied in five trials in renal transplant recipients totalling
2,497 patients (including two studies without a non-Certican control group), and three trials in heart
transplant recipients totalling 1,531 patients (ITT populations, see section 5.1).
9
Certican combined with tacrolimus was studied in one trial, which included 719 liver transplant
recipients (ITT population, see section 5.1).
The most common events are: infections, anaemia, hyperlipidaemia, new onset of diabetes mellitus,
insomnia, headache, hypertension, cough, constipation, nausea, peripheral oedema, impaired healing
(including pleural and pericardial effusion).
The occurrence of the adverse events may depend on the immunosuppressive regimen (i.e. degree and
duration). In the studies combining Certican with ciclosporin, elevated serum creatinine was observed
more frequently in patients administered Certican in combination with full-dose ciclosporin for
microemulsion than in control patients. The overall incidence of adverse events was lower with
reduced-dose ciclosporin for microemulsion (see section 5.1).
The safety profile of Certican administered with reduced-dose ciclosporin was similar to that described
in the 3 pivotal studies in which full-dose ciclosporin was administered, except that elevation of serum
creatinine was less frequent, and mean and median serum creatinine values were lower, than in the
Phase III studies.
b) Tabulated summary of adverse reactions
Table 4 contains adverse drug reactions possibly or probably related to Certican seen in Phase III
clinical trials. Unless noted otherwise, these disorders have been identified by an increased incidence
in the Phase III studies comparing Certican-treated patients with patients on a non-Certican, standardtherapy regimen, or the same incidence in case the event is a known ADR of the comparator MPA in
renal and heart transplant studies (see section 5.1). Except where noted otherwise, the adverse reaction
profile is relatively consistent across all transplant indications. It is compiled according to MedDRA
standard organ classes:
Adverse reactions are listed according to their frequencies, which are defined as: very common
(≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000);
very rare (<1/10,000).
Table 4
Adverse drug reactions possibly or probably related to Certican
Body system
Incidence
Adverse reaction
Infections and
infestations
Very common
Infections (viral, bacterial, fungal), upper respiratory
tract infection, lower respiratory tract and lung
infections (including pneumonia)1, urinary tract
infections2
Common
Sepsis, wound infection
Common
Malignant or unspecified tumours, malignant and
unspecified skin neoplasms
Uncommon
Lymphomas/post-transplant lymphoproliferative
disorders (PTDL)
Very common
Leukopaenia, anaemia/erythropenia,
thrombocytopenia1
Neoplasms benign,
malignant and
unspecified
Blood and lymphatic
system disorders
10
Common
Pancytopenia, thrombotic microangiopathies
(including thrombotic thrombocytopenic
purpura/haemolytic uraemic syndrome)
Endocrine disorders
Uncommon
Hypogonadism male (testosterone decreased, FSH and
LH increased)
Metabolism and
nutrition disorders
Very common
Hyperlipidaemia (cholesterol and triglycerides), new
onset diabetes mellitus, hypokalaemia
Psychiatric disorders
Very common
Insomnia, anxiety
Nervous system
disorders
Very common
Headache
Cardiac disorders
Very common
Pericardial effusion3
Common
Tachycardia
Very common
Hypertension, venous thromboembolic events
Common
Lymphocoele4, epistaxis, renal graft thrombosis
Very common
Pleural effusion1, cough1, dyspnoea1
Uncommon
Interstitial lung disease5
Very common
Abdominal pain, diarrhoea ,nausea, vomiting
Common
Pancreatitis, stomatitis/mouth ulceration,
oropharyngeal pain
Hepatobiliary disorders
Uncommon
Non infectious hepatitis, jaundice
Skin and subcutaneous
tissue disorders
Common
Angiooedema6, acne, rash
Musculoskeletal and
connective tissue
disorders
Common
Myalgia, arthralgia
Renal and urinary
disorders
Common
Proteinuria2, renal tubular necrosis7
Reproductive system
and breast disorders
Common
Erectile dysfunction
Vascular disorders
Respiratory, thoracic
and mediastinal
disorders
Gastrointestinal
disorders
11
General disorders and
administration site
conditions
Investigations
Very common
Peripheral oedema, pain, healing impaired, pyrexia
Common
Incisional hernia
Common
Hepatic enzyme abnormal8
1
common in renal and liver transplantation
common in cardiac and liver transplantation
3
in cardiac transplantation
4
in renal and cardiac transplantation5the SMQ-based search for ILD showed the frequency of ILD in
the clinical trials. This broad search also included cases caused by related events, e.g. by infections.
The frequency category given here is derived from the medical review of the known cases.
6
predominantly in patients receiving concomitant ACE inhibitors
7
in renal transplantation
8
γ-GT, AST, ALT elevated
2
c) Description of selected adverse reactions
As preclinical toxicology studies have shown that everolimus can reduce spermatogenesis, male
infertility must be considered a potential risk of prolonged Certican therapy. There are literature
reports of reversible azoospermia and oligospermia in patients treated with mTOR inhibitors.
In controlled clinical trials in which a total of 3,256 patients receiving Certican in combination with
other immunosuppressants were monitored for at least 1 year, a total of 3.1% developed malignancies,
with 1.0% developing skin malignancies and 0.60% developing lymphomas or lymphoproliferative
disorders.
Cases of interstitial lung disease, implying lung intraparenchymal inflammation (pneumonitis) and/or
fibrosis of non-infectious aetiology, some fatal, have occurred in patients receiving rapamycin and
derivatives, including Certican. Mostly, the condition resolves after discontinuation of Certican and/or
addition of glucocorticoids. However, fatal cases have also occurred.
d) Adverse drug reactions from post-marketing spontaneous reports
The following adverse drug reactions have been derived from post-marketing experience with Certican
via spontaneous case reports and literature cases. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from
a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to reliably estimate their frequency, which is therefore
categorised as not known. Adverse drug reactions are listed according to system organ classes in
MedDRA. Within each system organ class, ADRs are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
Table 5 Adverse drug reactions from spontaneous reports and literature (frequency not known)
Body system
Incidence
Adverse reaction
Vascular disorders
Not known
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis
Respiratory, thoracic and
mediastinal disorders
Not known
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
Skin and subcutaneous tissue
disorders
Not known
Erythroderma
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
12
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It
allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare
professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system
listed in Appendix V.
4.9
Overdose
In animal studies, everolimus showed low acute toxic potential. No lethality or severe toxicity was
observed after single oral doses of 2000 mg/kg (limit test) in either mice or rats.
Reported experience with overdose in humans is very limited; there is a single case of accidental
ingestion of 1.5 mg everolimus in a 2-year old child where no adverse events were observed. Single
doses up to 25 mg have been administered to transplant patients with acceptable acute tolerability.
General supportive measures should be initiated in all cases of overdose.
5.
PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1
Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: selective immunosuppressive agents. ATC code: LO4AA18.
Mechanism of action
Everolimus, a proliferation signal inhibitor, prevents allograft rejection in rodent and non-human
primate models of allotransplantation. It exerts its immunosuppressive effect by inhibiting the
proliferation, and thus clonal expansion, of antigen-activated T cells, which is driven by T cell-specific
interleukins, e.g. interleukin-2 and interleukin-15. Everolimus inhibits an intracellular signalling
pathway, which is triggered upon binding of these T cell growth factors to their respective receptors,
and which normally leads to cell proliferation. The blockage of this signal by everolimus leads to an
arrest of the cells at the G1 stage of the cell cycle.
At the molecular level, everolimus forms a complex with the cytoplasmic protein FKBP-12. In the
presence of everolimus, the growth factor-stimulated phosphorylation of the p70 S6 kinase is
inhibited. Since p70 S6 kinase phosphorylation is under the control of FRAP (also called mTOR), this
finding suggests that the everolimus-FKBP-12 complex binds to and thus interferes with the function
of FRAP. FRAP is a key regulatory protein that governs cell metabolism, growth and proliferation;
disabling FRAP function thus explains the cell cycle arrest caused by everolimus.
Everolimus thus has a different mode of action to ciclosporin. In preclinical models of
allotransplantation, the combination of everolimus and ciclosporin was more effective than either
compound alone.
The effect of everolimus is not restricted to T cells. It inhibits growth factor-stimulated proliferation of
hematopoietic as well as non-hematopoietic cells in general, such as vascular smooth muscle cells.
Growth factor-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, triggered by injury to endothelial
cells and leading to neointima formation, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of chronic rejection.
Preclinical studies with everolimus have shown inhibition of neointima formation in a rat aorta
allotransplantation model.
Clinical efficacy and safety
Renal transplantation
Certican in fixed doses of 1.5 mg/day and 3 mg/day, in combination with standard doses of ciclosporin
for microemulsion and corticosteroids, was investigated in two Phase III de novo adult renal transplant
trials (B201 and B251). Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) 1 g b.i.d was used as comparator. The coprimary composite endpoints were efficacy failure (biopsy-proven acute rejection, graft loss, death or
13
loss to follow-up) at 6 months, and graft loss, death or loss to follow-up at 12 months. Certican was,
overall, non-inferior to MMF in these trials. The incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection at 6
months in the B201 study was 21.6%, 18.2%, and 23.5% for the Certican 1.5 mg/day, Certican 3
mg/day and MMF groups, respectively. In study B251, the incidences were 17.1%, 20.1%, and 23.5%
for the Certican 1.5 mg/day, Certican 3 mg/day and MMF groups, respectively.
Reduced allograft function with elevated serum creatinine was observed more frequently among
subjects using Certican in combination with full-dose ciclosporin for microemulsion than in MMF
patients. This effect suggests that Certican increases ciclosporin nephrotoxicity. Drug concentrationpharmacodynamic analysis showed that renal function was not impaired with reduced exposure to
ciclosporin, while conserving efficacy for as long as the blood trough everolimus concentration was
maintained above 3ng/ml. This concept was subsequently confirmed in two further Phase III studies
(A2306 and A2307, including 237 and 256 patients, respectively), which evaluated the efficacy and
safety of Certican 1.5 mg and 3 mg per day (initial dosing; subsequent dosing based on target trough
concentration ≥3 ng/ml) in combination with reduced exposure to ciclosporin. In both studies, renal
function was preserved without compromising efficacy. In these studies, however, there was no nonCertican comparative arm. A Phase III, multicentre, randomised, open-label, controlled trial (A2309)
has been completed in which 833 de novo renal transplant recipients were randomised to one of two
Certican regimens, differing by dosage, and combined with reduced-dose ciclosporin or a standard
regimen of sodium mycophenolate (MPA) + ciclosporin, and treated for 12 months. All patients
received induction therapy with basiliximab pre-transplant, and on Day 4 post-transplant. Steroids
were given as required post-transplant.
Starting dosages in the two Certican groups were 1.5 mg/d and 3 mg, given b.i.d., subsequently
modified from Day 5 onwards to maintain target blood trough everolimus concentrationsof 3-8 ng/ml
and 6-12 ng/ml, respectively. Sodium mycophenolate dosage was 1.44 g/d. Ciclosporin dosages were
adapted to maintain target blood trough concentration windows as shown in Table 6. The actual
measured values for blood concentrations of everolimus and ciclosporin (C0 and C2) are shown in
Table 7.
Although the higher-dosage Certican regimen was as effective as the lower-dosage regimen, the
overall safety was poorer, and so the higher-dosage regimen is not recommended.
The lower-dosage regimen for Certican is recommended (see section 4.2).
Table 6
Study A2309: Target ciclosporin blood trough-concentration windows
Target ciclosporin C0
(ng/ml)
Certican groups
MPA group
Table 7
Mo 1
Mo 2-3
Mo 4-5
Mo 6-12
100-200
200-300
75-150
100-250
50-100
100-250
25-50
100-250
Study A2309: Measured trough blood concentrations of ciclosporin and everolimus
Trough
concentrations
(ng/ml)
Ciclosporin
Day 7
Month 1
Month 3
Month 6
Month 9
Month 12
Certican groups
(low-dose ciclosporin)
Certican 1.5 mg
Co
C2
195 ± 106 847 ± 412
173 ± 84
770 ± 364
122 ± 53
580 ± 322
88 ± 55
408 ± 226
55± 24
319 ± 172
55 ± 38
291 ± 155
Certican 3.0 mg
Co
C2
192 ± 104 718 ± 319
177 ± 99
762 ± 378
123 ± 75
548 ± 272
80 ± 40
426 ± 225
51 ± 30
296 ± 183
49 ± 27
281 ± 198
14
MPA
(standard ciclosporin)
Myfortic 1.44 g
Co
C2
239 ± 130 934 ± 438
250 ± 119 992 ± 482
182 ± 65 821 ± 273
163 ± 103 751 ± 269
149 ± 69 648 ± 265
137 ± 55
587± 241
(Target Co 3-8)
(Target Co 6-12)
Everolimus
Day 7
4.5 ± 2.3
8.3 ± 4.8
Month 1
5.3 ± 2.2
8.6 ± 3.9
Month 3
6.0 ± 2.7
8.8 ± 3.6
Month 6
5.3 ± 1.9
8.0 ± 3.1
Month 9
5.3 ± 1.9
7.7 ± 2.6
Month 12
5.3 ± 2.3
7.9 ± 3.5
Numbers are mean ± SD of measured values with C0 = trough concentration, C2 = value 2 hours postdose.
The primary efficacy endpoint was a composite failure variable (biopsy-proven acute rejection, graft
loss, death or loss to follow-up). The outcome is shown in Table 8.
Table 8
Study A2309: Composite and individual efficacy endpoints at 6 and 12 months
(incidence in ITT population)
Composite endpoint (10
criterion)
Difference % (Certican - MPA)
95% CI
Certican 1.5 mg
Certican 3.0 mg
MPA 1.44 g
N=277
N=279
N=277
% (n)
% (n)
% (n)
6 mo
12 mo
6 mo
12 mo
6 mo
12 mo
19.1 (53) 25.3 (70) 16.8 (47) 21.5 (60) 18.8 (52) 24.2 (67)
0.4%
(-6.2,
6.9)
1.1%
(-6.1,
8.3)
-1.9%
(-8.3,
4.4)
-2.7%
(-9.7, 4.3)
-
-
Individual endpoints (20 criteria)
Treated BPAR
10.8 (30) 16.2 (45) 10.0 (28) 13.3 (37) 13.7 (38) 17.0 (47)
Graft loss
4.0 (11) 4.3 (12) 3.9 (11) 4.7 (13)
2.9 (8)
3.2 (9)
Death
2.2 (6)
2.5 (7)
1.8 (5)
3.2 (9)
1.1 (3)
2.2 (6)
Loss to follow-up
3.6 (10) 4.3 (12)
2.5 (7)
2.5 (7)
1.8 (5)
3.2 (9)
0
Combined endpoints (2 criteria)
Graft loss / Death
5.8 (16) 6.5 (18) 5.7 (16) 7.5 (21) 4.0 (11) 5.4 (15)
Graft loss / Death / Loss to FU 9.4 (26) 10.8 (30) 8.2 (23) 10.0 (28) 5.8 (16) 8.7 (24)
mo = months, 10 = primary, 20 = secondary, CI = confidence interval, non-inferiority margin was 10%
Composite endpoint: treated biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR), graft loss, death, or loss to
follow-up (FU)
Changes in renal function, as shown by calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using the MDRD
formula, are shown in Table 9.
Proteinuria was assessed at scheduled visits by spot analysis of urinary protein/creatinine (see Table
10). A concentration effect was shown relating proteinuria levels to everolimus trough concentrations,
particularly at Cmin values above 8 ng/ml.
Adverse events reported more frequently in the recommended (lower-dosage) Certican regimen than
in the MPA control group have been included in Table 4. A lower frequency of viral infections was
reported for Certican-treated patients, resulting principally from lower reporting rates for CMV
infection (0.7% vs. 5.95%) and BK virus infection (1.5% vs. 4.8%).
Table 9
Study A2309: Renal function (MDRD-calculated GFR) at 12 months (ITT
population)
15
Certican 1.5 mg
N=277
54.6
2.37
(-1.7, 6.4)
Certican 3.0 mg
N=279
51.3
-0.89
(-5.0, 3.2)
MPA 1.44 g
N=277
52.2
-
12-month mean GFR (ml/min/1.73 m2)
Difference in mean (everolimus MPA)
95% CI
12-month GFR missing value imputation: graft loss = 0; death or loss to follow-up for renal
function = LOCF1 (last-observation-carried-forward approach 1: End of Treatment (up to Month
12)).
MDRD: modification of diet in renal disease
Table 10
Study A2309: Urinary protein to creatinine ratio
Category of proteinuria (mg/mmol)
subnormal%(n) mild%(n)
nephrotic%(n)
(<3.39)
(3.39-<33.9) (33.9-<339)
0.4 (1)
64.2 (174)
32.5 (88)
0.7 (2)
59.2 (164)
33.9 (94)
1.8 (5)
73.1 (198)
20.7 (56)
Treatment
Certican 1.5 mg
Month 12
(TED)
Certican 3 mg
MPA 1.44 g
1 mg/mmol = 8.84 mg/g
TED: Treatment endpoint (Mo 12 value or last observation carried forward)
nephrotic%(n)
(>339)
3.0 (8)
5.8 (16)
4.1 (11)
Cardiac transplantation
In the Phase III cardiac study (B253), both Certican 1.5 mg/day and 3 mg/day, in combination with
standard doses of ciclosporin for microemulsion and corticosteroids, was investigated vs. azathioprine
(AZA) 1-3 mg/kg/day. The primary endpoint was a composite of the incidence of acute rejection
ISHLT grade 3A, acute rejection associated with haemodynamic compromise, graft loss, patient
death or loss to follow-up at 6, 12 and 24 months. Both doses of Certican were superior to AZA at 6,
12 and 24 months. The incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection ISHLT grade 3A at month 6 was
27.8% for the 1.5 mg/day group, 19% for the 3 mg/day group and 41.6% for the AZA group,
respectively (p = 0.003 for 1.5 mg vs. control, <0.001 for 3 mg vs. control).
Based on coronary artery intravascular ultrasound data obtained from a subset of the study population,
both Certican doses were statistically significantly more effective than AZA in preventing allograft
vasculopathy (defined as an increase in maximum intimal thickness from baseline  0.5mm in at least
one matched slice of an automated pullback sequence), an important risk factor for long-term graft
loss.
Elevated serum creatinine was observed more frequently among subjects using Certican in
combination with full-dose ciclosporin for microemulsion than in AZA patients. These results
indicated that Certican increases ciclosporin-induced nephrotoxicity.
Study A2411 was a randomised, 12-month, open-label study comparing Certican in combination with
reduced doses of ciclosporin microemulsion and corticosteroids to mycophenolic mofetil (MMF) and
standard doses of ciclosporin microemulsion and corticosteroids in de novo cardiac transplant patients.
Certican was initiated at 1.5 mg/day and the dose was adjusted to maintain target blood everolimus
trough concentrations of 3-8 ng/ml. MMF dosage was initiated at 1500 mg b.i.d. Ciclosporin
microemulsion doses were adjusted to the following target trough concentrations (ng/ml):
Table 11
Target ciclosporin trough concentrations by month
Target ciclosporin
Mo 1
Mo 2
16
Mo 3-4
Mo 5-6
Mo 7-12
C0
Certican group
MMF group
200-350
200-350
150-250
200-350
100-200
200-300
75-150
150-250
50-100
100-250
Actual blood concentrations measured are shown in Table 12.
Table 12
Study A2411: Summary statistics for CsA blood concentrations* (mean ± SD)
Certican group
(N=91)
Visit
C0
154 ± 71
Day 4
n=79
245 ± 99
Mo 1
n=76
199
± 96
Mo 3
n=70
157 ± 61
Mo 6
n=73
133 ± 67
Mo 9
n=72
110 ± 50
Mo 12
n=68
*:whole blood trough concentrations (C0)
MMF group
(N=83)
C0
155 ± 96
n=74
308 ± 96
n=71
256 ± 73
n=70
219 ± 83
n=67
187 ± 58
n=64
180 ± 55
n=64
Changes in renal function are shown in Table 13. Efficacy outcome is shown in Table 14.
Table 13
values)
Study A2411: Changes in creatinine clearance during study (patients with paired
Estimated creatinine clearance (Cockcroft-Gault)*
ml/mn
Value at
Difference between
Baseline
timepoint
groups
Mean (± SD)
Mean (± SD)
Mean (95% CI)
Certican (n=87)
73.8 (± 27.8)
68.5 (± 31.5)
-7.3
Month 1
(-18.1, 3.4)
MMF (n=78)
77.4 (± 32.6)
79.4 (± 36.0)
Certican (n=83)
74.4 (± 28.2)
65.4 (± 24.7)
-5.0
Month 6
(-13.6, 2.9)
MMF (n=72)
76.0 (± 31.8)
72.4 (± 26.4)
Certican (n=71)
74.8 (± 28.3)
68.7 (± 27.7)
-1.8
Month 12
(-11.2, 7.5)
MMF (n=71)
76.2 (± 32.1)
71.9 (± 30.0)
* includes patients with value at both baseline and visit
Table 14
Study A2411: Efficacy event rates (incidence in ITT population)
Efficacy endpoint
At 6 months
Biopsy-proven acute
rejection ≥ ISHLT
grade 3A
Composite efficacy
failure *
At 12 months
Certican
n=92
MMF
n=84
Difference in event rates
Mean (95% CI)
18 (19.6%)
23 (27.4%)
-7.8 (-20.3, 4.7)
26 (28.3%)
31 (36.9%)
-8.6 (-22.5, 5.2)
17
Biopsy-proven acute
rejection ≥ ISHLT
21 (22.8%)
25 (29.8%)
-6.9 (-19.9, 6.1)
grade 3A
Composite efficacy
30 (32.6%)
35 (41.7%)
-9.1 (-23.3, 5.2)
failure*
Death or graft
10 (10.9%)
10 (11.9%)
loss/re-transplant
* Composite efficacy failure: any of the following – acute rejection ≥ grade 3A, acute rejection
with haemodynamic compromise, graft loss, death or loss to follow-up.
Study A2310 is a Phase III, multicentre, randomised, open-label study comparing two
Certican/reduced-dose ciclosporin regimens against a standard mycophenolate mofetil
(MMF)/ciclosporin regimen over 24 months. The use of induction therapy was centre-specific (noinduction or basiliximab or thymoglobulin). All patients received corticosteroids.
Starting doses in the Certican groups were 1.5 mg/d and 3 mg/d, and were adjusted to target blood
trough everolimus concentrations of 3-8 ng/ml and 6-12 ng/ml, respectively. The MMF dose was
3 g/d. Ciclosporin dosages targeted the same blood trough concentrations as in study A2411. Blood
concentrations of everolimus and ciclosporin are shown in Table 15.
Recruitment to the experimental, higher-dosage Certican treatment arm was prematurely discontinued
because of an increased rate of fatalities, due to infection and cardiovascular disorders, occurring
within the first 90 days post-randomisation.
Table 15
Study A2310: Measured trough blood concentrations of ciclosporin (CsA) and
everolimus
Certican 1.5mg/reduced-dose CsA
MMF 3g/std-dose CsA
N=279
N=268
everolimus
(C0 ciclosporin (C0 ng/ml)
ng/ml)
Day 4
5.7 (4.6)
153 (103)
151 (101)
Month 1
5.2 (2.4)
247 (91)
269 (99)
Month 3
5.4 (2.6)
209 (86)
245 (90)
Month 6
5.7 (2.3)
151 (76)
202 (72)
Month 9
5.5 (2.2)
117 (77)
176 (64)
Month 12
5.4 (2.0)
102 (48)
167 (66)
Numbers are the mean (standard deviation) of measured values of C0=trough concentration
Visit window
Efficacy outcome at 12 months is shown in Table 16.
Table 16
Study A2310: Incidence rates of efficacy endpoints by treatment group (ITT
population – 12-month analysis)
Certican 1.5mg
N=279
n (%)
99 (35.1)
11 (3.9)
63 (22.3)
22 (7.8)
4 (1.4)
9 (3.2)
Efficacy endpoints
Primary: Composite efficacy failure
- AR associated with HDC
- BPAR of ISHLT grade  3A
- Death
- Graft loss/re-transplant
- Loss to follow-up
18
MMF
N=271
n (%)
91 (33.6)
7 (2.6)
67 (24.7)
13 (4.8)
5 (1.8)
10 (3.7)
Certican 1.5mg
MMF
N=279
N=271
Efficacy endpoints
n (%)
n (%)
Composite efficacy failure: biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) episodes of ISHLT grade 
3A, acute rejection (AR) associated with haemodynamic compromise (HDC), graft loss/retransplant, death, or loss to follow-up.
The higher fatality rate in the Certican arm relative to the MMF arm was mainly the result of an
increased rate of fatalities from infection in the first three months among Certican patients receiving
thymoglobulin induction therapy. The imbalance in fatalities within the thymoglobulin subgroup was
particularly evident among patients hospitalised prior to transplantation and with L-ventricular
assistance devices (see section 4.4).
Renal function over the course of study A2310, assessed by calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
using the MDRD formula, was 5.5 ml/min/1.73m2 (97.5% CI -10.9, -0.2) lower for the everolimus
1.5 mg group at Month 12.
This difference was mainly observed in centres where the mean ciclosporin concentrations were
similar throughout the study period in patients receiving Certican and in patients randomised to the
control arm. This finding underlines the importance of reducing the ciclosporinconcentrationswhen
combined with everolimus as indicated in Table 17 (see also section 4.2):
Table 17
Target ciclosporin trough concentrations per month
Target ciclosporin C0
Certican group
MMF group
Mo 1
200-350
200-350
Mo 2
150-250
200-350
Mo 3-4
100-200
200-300
Mo 5-6
75-150
150-250
Mo 7-12
50-100
100-250
Additionally, the difference was mainly driven by a difference developed during the first month posttransplantation when patients are still in an unstable haemodynamic situation, possibly confounding
the analysis of renal function. Thereafter, the decrease in mean GFR from Month 1 to Month 12 was
significantly smaller in the everolimus group than in the control group (-6.4 vs. -13.7 ml/min,
p=0.002).
Proteinuria, expressed as urinary protein: creatinine levels measured in spot urine samples, tended to
be higher in the Certican-treated patients. Sub-nephrotic values were observed in 22% of the patients
receiving Certican compared to MMF patients (8.6%). Nephrotic levels were also reported (0.8%),
representing 2 patients in each treatment group (see section 4.4).
The adverse reactions for the everolimus 1.5 mg group in Study A2310 are consistent with the adverse
drug reactions presented in Table 4. A lower rate of viral infections was reported for Certican-treated
patients, resulting principally from a lower reporting rate for CMV infection compared to MMF (7.2%
vs. 19.4%).
Hepatic transplantation
In the Phase III adult hepatic transplant study (H2304), reduced exposure tacrolimus and Certican
1.0 mg twice daily was administered to patients, with the initial Certican dose 4 weeks after
transplantation, and was investigated versus standard exposure tacrolimus. Certican was dose adjusted
to maintain target blood everolimus trough concentrations between 3-8 ng/ml for the Certican +
reduced tacrolimus arm. Tacrolimus doses were subsequently adjusted to achieve target trough
concentrations between 3-5 ng/ml during 12 months in the Certican + reduced tacrolimus arm.
Only 2.6% of study participants in H2304 were black so this study provides only limited efficacy and
safety data on this population (see section 4.2)
19
Overall, in the 12-month analysis, the incidence of the composite endpoint (tBPAR, graft loss or
death) was lower in the Certican + reduced tacrolimus arm (6.7%) compared to the tacrolimus control
arm (9.7%) and consistent results were observed at 24 months (see Table 18).
The results of individual components of the composite endpoint are shown in Table 19.
Table 18
Study H2304: Comparison between treatment groups for Kaplan-Meier incidence
rates of primary efficacy endpoints (ITT population - 12 and 24-month analysis)
Statistic
EVR+Reduced TAC
N=245
12-month
24-month
Number of composite efficacy failures
(tBPAR, graft loss or death) from
randomisation till Month 24/12
KM estimate of incidence rate of composite
efficacy failure (tBPAR*, graft loss or death)
at Month 24/12
Difference in KM estimates (vs. control)
97.5% CI for difference
P-value Z-test (EVR+Reduced TAC - Control
= 0)
(No difference test)
P-value* Z-test (EVR+Reduced TAC Control ≥0.12)
(Non-inferiority test)
16
24
6.7%
10.3%
-3.0%
(-8.7%,
2.6%)
0.230
2.2%
(-8.8%,
4.4%)
0.452
<0.001
<0.001
TAC control
N=243
1224-month
month
23
29
9.7%
*tBPAR = treated biopsy-proven acute rejection
Table 19
Efficacy
endpoints
Graft loss
12-month
24-month
Death
12-month
24-month
BPAR1
12-month
24-month
tBPAR2
12-month
24-month
Study H2304: Comparison between treatment groups for incidence rates of
secondary efficacy endpoints (ITT population – 12 and 24-month analysis)
EVR/Reduced
TAC
N=245
n (%)
TAC
control
N=243
n (%)
Risk diff. (95% CI)
P-value*
6 (2.4)
9 (3.9)
3 (1.2)
7 (3.2)
1.2 (-7.8, 10.2)
0.8% (-3.2, 4.7)
0.5038
0.661
9 (3.7)
12 (5.2)
6 (2.5)
10 (4.4)
1.2 (-7.8, 10.1)
0.8% (-3.7, 5.2)
0.6015
0.701
10 (4.1)
14 (6.1)
26 (10.7)
30 (13.3)
-6.6 (-11.2, -2.0)
-7.2% (-13.5, -0.9)
0.0052
0.010
7 (2.9)
11 (4.8)
17 (7.0)
18 (7.7)
-4.1 (-8.0, -0.3)
-2.9% (-7.9, 2.2)
0.0345
0.203
1. BPAR = biopsy-proven acute rejection; 2. tBPAR = treated biopsy-proven acute rejection
*All p-values are for two-sided test and were compared to 0.05 significance level.
20
12.5%
Comparison between treatment groups for change in eGFR (MDRD4) [ml/min/1.73 m2] from time of
randomisation (day 30) to Month 12 and 24 demonstrated superior renal function for the Certican +
reduced tacrolimus arm (see Table 20).
Table 20
Study H2304: Comparison between treatment groups for eGFR (MDRD 4) at
Month 12 (ITT population – 12 and 24-month analysis)
Difference vs. control
LS mean
(SE)
LSM mean
(SE)
Pvalue(1)
Treatment
N
97.5% CI
P-value(2)
EVR+Reduced
TAC
12-month
244
-2.23 (1.54)
8.50 (2.12) (3.74, 13.27)
<0.001
<0.001
24-month
245
-7.94 (1.53)
6.66 (2.12) (1.9, 11.42)
<0.0001
0.0018
TAC control
12-month
243
-10.73 (1.54)
24-month
243
-14.60 (1.54)
Least squares means, 97.5% confidence intervals and p-values are from an ANCOVA model
containing treatment and HCV status as factors, and baseline eGFR as a covariate.
P-value (1): Non-inferiority test with NI margin = -6 ml/min/1.73m2, at one-sided 0.0125 level.
P-value (2): Superiority test at two-sided 0.025 levels.
Paediatric population
There is insufficient data in children and adolescents to recommend the use of Certican in renal
transplantation (see section 4.2). In hepatic transplant paediatric patients, Certican should not be used
(see section 4.2).
Renal transplantation
In paediatric renal allograft recipients (1-18 years of age; n=30), Certican was assessed in a 12-month,
multi-center, randomized, open-label trial with two parallel groups (1:1) evaluating the use of Certican
in combination with reduced tacrolimus and corticosteroid withdrawal at 6 months post transplantation
in comparison to mycophenolate mofetil with standard tacrolimus. The efficacy for Certican with
reduced tacrolimus and steroid withdrawal was comparable to mycophenolate mofetil with standard
tacrolimus 13.3% (2/15) vs 6.7% (1/15) for the primary efficacy composite failure endpoint of biopsy
proven acute rejection, graft loss and death. There were no deaths or graft losses. Extrapolation from
Certican adult kidney transplant data to Certican paediatric study data and literature showed that the
primary efficacy composite endpoint was lower than that observed in adults. Renal function
calculated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was numerically better with Certican
compared to mycophenolate mofetil with standard tacrolimus. The mean difference in eGFR from
randomization to 12-months between groups was 7.2 mL/min/1.73m2.
Altogether 6/15 patients in the Certican group vs. 1/15 in the control group were withdrawn from
study therapy. Reasons for study drug discontinuation were in the Certican group: 1 aphthous
stomatitis, 1 PTLD, 1 increased blood triglycerides, 1 rejection, 1 withdrawal of consent, 1
administrative reason; in the control group:1 increased creatinine/tacrolimus toxicity. This affects the
possibility to evaluate efficacy in terms of long-term renal function. Two patients in the Certican
group vs. one in the control had a biopsy proven rejection.
Hepatic transplantation
In paediatric hepatic transplant recipients (month 1-18 years of age; n=25) receiving either a full-size
liver allograft or a technically modified liver allograft from a deceased or living donor, Certican with
reduced tacrolimus or ciclosporin was evaluated in a 12-month, multi-center, single arm study. Based
on this study with extrapolation to adult study data, the efficacy of Certican with reduced tacrolimus or
21
ciclosporin is comparable to that observed in adults for the primary efficacy composite endpoint of
treated biopsy-proven acute rejection, graft loss and death (0% vs. 6.7%). The gain in estimated
glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from randomization to 12-months was higher in Certican paediatric
patients (9.1 mL/min/1.73m2) to that observed in adults treated with Certican (8.50 mL/min/1.73m2
vs. control (see Table 20)).
In paediatric hepatic transplant recipients, there was no negative impact in growth or sexual maturation
observed, however, compared to adults and published literature, there were higher rates of serious
infections, and GI disorders (particularly gastroenteritis, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomatitis).
Incidence rates for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder in the group of children under 7 years
of age, and notably in EBV negative children under 2 years of age, were higher compared to adults
and published literature. Based on the safety data the benefit/risk profile does not support
recommendations for use.
5.2
Pharmacokinetic properties
Absorption
After oral administration, peak everolimus concentrations occur 1 to 2 hours post-dose. Everolimus
blood concentrations are dose proportional over the dose range of 0.25 to 15 mg in transplant patients.
The relative bioavailability of the dispersible tablet compared with the tablet is 0.90 (90% CI 0.761.07) based on the AUC ratio.
Food effect
Everolimus Cmax and AUC are reduced by 60% and 16% when the tablet formulation is given with a
high-fat meal. To minimise variability, Certican should be taken consistently with or without food.
Distribution
The blood-to-plasma ratio of everolimus is concentration-dependent, ranging from 17% to 73% over
the range of 5 to 5,000 ng/ml. Plasma protein binding is approximately 74% in healthy subjects and
patients with moderate hepatic impairment. The distribution volume associated with the terminal
phase (Vz/F) in maintenance renal transplant patients is 342 ± 107 litres.
Biotransformation
Everolimus is a substrate of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein. Following oral administration, it is the main
circulating component in human blood. Six main metabolites of everolimus have been detected in
human blood, including three monohydroxylated metabolites, two hydrolytic ring-opened products,
and a phosphatidylcholine conjugate of everolimus. These metabolites were also identified in animal
species used in toxicity studies, and showed approximately 100 times less activity than everolimus
itself. Hence, the parent substance is considered to contribute the majority of the overall
pharmacological activity of everolimus.
Elimination
After a single dose of radiolabelled everolimus to transplant patients receiving ciclosporin, the
majority (80%) of radioactivity was recovered from the faeces, and only a minor amount (5%) was
excreted in urine. Parent drug was not detected in urine and faeces.
Steady-state pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics were comparable for kidney and heart transplant patients receiving everolimus twice
daily simultaneously with ciclosporin for microemulsion. Steady-state is reached by day 4 with an
accumulation in blood concentrations of 2 to 3-fold compared with exposure after the first dose. T max
occurs at 1 to 2 hours post-dose. Cmax averages 11.1 ± 4.6 and 20.3 ± 8.0 ng/ml and AUC averages
75 ± 31 and 131 ± 59 ng.h/ml at 0.75 and 1.5 mg b.i.d., respectively. Pre-dose trough blood
concentrations (Cmin) average 4.1 ± 2.1 and 7.1 ± 4.6 ng/ml at 0.75 and 1.5 mg b.i.d., respectively.
Everolimus exposure remains stable over time in the first post-transplant year. Cmin is significantly
correlated with AUC, yielding a correlation coefficient between 0.86 and 0.94. Based on a population
pharmacokinetic analysis, oral clearance (CL/F) is 8.8 litres/hour (27% interpatient variation) and the
22
central distribution volume (Vc/F) is 110 litres (36% interpatient variation). Residual variability in
blood concentrations is 31%. The elimination half-life is 28 ± 7 hours.
Special populations
Hepatic impairment
Relative to the AUC of everolimus in subjects with normal hepatic function, the average AUC in 6
patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A) was 1.6-fold higher; in two independently
studied groups of 8 and 9 patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B), the
average AUC was 2.1-fold and 3.3-fold higher, respectively; and in 6 patients with severe hepatic
impairment (Child-Pugh Class C), the average AUC was 3.6-fold higher. Mean half-lives were 52, 59
and 78 hours in mild, moderate and severe hepatic impairment. The prolonged half-lives delay the
time to reach steady-state everolimus blood concentrations.
Renal impairment
Post-transplant renal impairment (CCr range 11-107 ml/min) did not affect the pharmacokinetics of
everolimus.
Paediatric population
Fourteen paediatric de novo renal transplant patients (2 to 16 years) received Certican dispersible
tablets at a starting dose of 0.8 mg/m2 (maximum 1.5 mg) twice daily with ciclosporin for
microemulsion. Their doses were subsequently individualised based on therapeutic drug monitoring to
maintain everolimus pre-dose trough concentrations ≥3 ng/ml. At steady state, the everolimus trough
level was 6.2 ± 2.4 ng/ml, Cmax was 18.2 ± 5.5 ng/ml, and AUC was 118 ± 28 ng.h/ml, which are
comparable to adults receiving Certican targeted to similar pre-dose trough concentrations. The
steady-state CL/F was 7.1 ± 1.7 l/h/m2 and the elimination half-life was 30 ± 11 h in paediatric
patients.
Elderly patients
A limited reduction in everolimus oral clearance by 0.33% per year was estimated in adults (age range
studied was 16-70 years). No dose adjustment is considered necessary.
Ethnicity
Based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis, oral clearance (CL/F) is, on average, 20% higher in
black transplant patients. See section 4.2.
Exposure-response relationships
The average everolimus trough concentration over the first 6 months post-transplant was related to the
incidence of biopsy-confirmed acute rejection and of thrombocytopenia in renal and cardiac transplant
patients (see Table 21). In hepatic transplant patients, the relationship between average everolimus
trough concentrations and the incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection is less well defined. No
correlation between higher everolimus exposure and adverse events such as thrombocytopenia has
been observed (see Table 21).
Table 21
Exposure-response relationships for everolimus in transplant patients
Trough concentration (ng/ml)
Freedom from rejection
Thrombocytopenia
(<100 x 109/l)
Trough concentration (ng/ml)
Freedom from rejection
Thrombocytopenia
(<75 x 109/l)
Renal transplantation:
≤ 3.4 3.5 - 4.5
4.6 - 5.7
68%
81%
86%
10%
9%
7%
5.8 – 7.7
81%
14%
7.8 - 15.0
91%
17%
Cardiac transplantation:
≤ 3.5 3.6 - 5.3
5.4 - 7.3
65%
69%
80%
5%
5%
6%
7.4 – 10.2
85%
8%
10.3 - 21.8
85%
9%
23
Trough concentration (ng/ml)
Freedom from treated BPAR
Thrombocytopenia
(≤75×109/l)
5.3
Hepatic transplantation:
≤3
3-8
88%
98%
35%
13%
≥8
92%
18%
Preclinical safety data
The preclinical safety profile of everolimus was assessed in mice, rats, minipigs, monkeys and rabbits.
The major target organs were male and female reproductive systems (testicular tubular degeneration,
reduced sperm content in epididymides and uterine atrophy) in several species, and, in rats only, lungs
(increased alveolar macrophages) and eyes (lenticular anterior suture line opacities). Minor kidney
changes were seen in the rat (exacerbation of age-related lipofuscin in tubular epithelium) and the
mouse (exacerbation of background lesions). There was no indication of kidney toxicity in monkeys or
minipigs.
Spontaneously occurring background diseases (chronic myocarditis in the rat, Coxsackie virus
infection in plasma and heart in monkeys, coccidial infestation of GI tract in minipigs, skin lesions in
mice and monkeys) appeared to be exacerbated by treatment with everolimus. These findings were
generally observed at systemic exposure concentrations within the range of therapeutic exposure or
above, with the exception of findings in rats, which occurred below therapeutic exposure due to high
tissue distribution.
Ciclosporin in combination with everolimus caused higher systemic exposure to everolimus and
increased toxicity. There were no new target organs in the rat. Monkeys showed haemorrhage and
arteritis in several organs.
In a male fertility study in rats, testicular morphology was affected at 0.5 mg/kg and above, and sperm
motility, sperm count and plasma testosterone levels were diminished at 5 mg/kg, which is within the
range of therapeutic exposure and caused a decrease in male fertility. There was evidence of
reversibility. Female fertility was not affected, but everolimus crossed the placenta and was toxic to
the conceptus. In rats, everolimus caused embryo/foetotoxicity at systemic exposure below the
therapeutic exposure, which was manifested as mortality and reduced foetal weight. The incidence of
skeletal variations and malformations at 0.3 and 0.9 mg/kg (e.g. sternal cleft) was increased. In rabbits,
embryotoxicity was evident by an increase in late resorptions.
Genotoxicity studies covering relevant genotoxicity endpoints showed no evidence of clastogenic or
mutagenic activity. Administration of everolimus for up to 2 years did not indicate any oncogenic
potential in mice and rats up to the highest doses, corresponding respectively to 8.6 and 0.3 times the
estimated clinical exposure.
6.
PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1
List of excipients
Butylated hydroxytoluene (E321)
Magnesium stearate (E470 B)
Lactose monohydrate
Hypromellose Type 2910
Crospovidone Type A
Lactose anhydrous
Colloidal anhydrous silica
6.2
Incompatibilities
24
When ciclosporin for microemulsion is administered via a nasogastric tube, it should be administered
before Certican. The two medicinal products should not be mixed.
6.3
Shelf life
3 years.
6.4
Special precautions for storage
Store in the original package in order to protect from light and moisture.
6.5
Nature and contents of container
Aluminium/polyamide/aluminium/PVC blister.
Packs containing 50/60/100/250 dispersible tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
6.6
Special precautions for disposal and other handling
Dispersible tablet
Administration with a 10 ml oral syringe. Place the Certican dispersible tablets into a syringe. The
maximum amount of Certican that can be dispersed in a 10 ml syringe is 1.25 mg. Add water to the
5 ml mark. Wait 90 seconds, while shaking gently. After dispersion, administer directly into the
mouth. Rinse the syringe with 5 ml water and administer into the mouth. Drink an additional 10 to
100 ml of water, or diluted syrup.
Administration with a plastic cup. Place the Certican dispersible tablets in approximately 25 ml of
water in a plastic cup. The maximum amount of Certican that can be dispersed in 25 ml of water is
1.5 mg. The cup is left for approx. 2 minutes to allow the tablets to disintegrate, and is swirled gently
before drinking. Immediately rinse the cup with an additional 25 ml of water and drink completely.
Administration via nasogastric tube. Place the Certican dispersible tablets in a small plastic medicine
beaker that contains 10 ml water. Wait 90 seconds, while swirling gently. Put the dispersion into a
syringe and inject slowly (within 40 seconds) into the nasogastric tube. Rinse the beaker (and the
syringe) 3 times with 5 ml water and inject into the tube. Finally, flush the tube with 10 ml water. The
nasogastric tube should be clamped for a minimum of 30 minutes after Certican administration.
7.
MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
To be completed nationally
In Sweden:
Novartis Sverige AB
Box 1150
SE-183 11 Täby
8.
MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBERS
To be completed nationally
In Sweden:
25
0.1 mg: 18694
0.25 mg: 18695
9.
DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
Date of first authorisation: 2003-07-18
Date of latest renewal: 2008-07-18
10.
DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
2016-01-20
26